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Carl Froch gives honest reaction to Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven
Carl Froch gives honest reaction to Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven
On May 23, at the Pyramids of Giza, Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven headlined a Ring Magazine fight card, with Usyk’s Ring and WBC heavyweight titles on the line. Usyk was expected to deal with Verhoeven with relative ease, but the Dutch kickboxer and his team had other ideas, with Usyk needing an eleventh-round stoppage to retain his titles. Former super middleweight world champion Carl Froch has given his honest reaction to Usyk vs Verhoeven.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven: Usyk survives awkward opponent to retain titles
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven (1-1, 1 KO) wasn’t a great spectacle, no matter what the DAZN commentary team will have you believe. The Dutchman deserves plenty of credit for his awkward come-forward fight style. He often rushed in, which unsettled Usyk throughout, stopping him from getting into a groove.
Verhoeven did land more than most do against Usyk, but he often missed in the fight, while Usyk looked heavy, lacking the normal, swift footwork he has.
Despite Usyk’s shortcomings in this fight, he did land the more eye-catching work, but he often wasn’t busy enough. In the eleventh round, the Ukrainian landed a well-timed uppercut, flooring a clearly exhausted Verhoeven. The Dutchman made it to his feet before staggering to his corner for them to put his gumshield back in, but Usyk sensed a stoppage and pounced. Usyk landed a series of accurate punches, forcing the referee to step in and end the fight with one second left in the eleventh round.
It appeared the bell had sounded for the end of the round before the referee stepped in. Either way, this stoppage will be discussed for many years, but one thing is undeniable: Usyk was well on top at that point, and a stoppage would have likely come in the final round.
Carl Froch weighs in on Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven
Reflecting on the Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven fight, Froch said:
“I always stand by it. I think that Usyk’s done what he needed to do. He’s been fantastic for the sport. He’s one of the best. Just turn it in now, because if that had gone wrong for him tonight, his legacy would have been in tatters.
“Losing to someone who’s only in his second pro fight. But let’s not take anything away from Rico. He boxed superbly for what limitations he’s got. He’s a kickboxer, not a pro boxer. And he’s give Usyk a real hard night’s work. But Usyk, like I said earlier, saved himself, saved his legacy, saved boxing, and onto the next one.”
